Help save Newmarket Stables

The much-loved Newmarket Stables in Durban could face closure. Horse enthusiasts locally and from far afield are pulling together to try to stop the process.

Ethekweni Municipality on Monday served a one month’s notice to the management, committee, members and family of Newmarket Stables, to vacate the premises.

There is a petition on petitions24 where fans of the yard can show their support and have their say.

“We have only one chance to stop the nepotism and greed of the “decision” makers,” says petition author Nicole Bollman.

EThekwini’s plans to demolish the stables and build a Liverpool Soccer Academy first came to light last year, but the English football club later pulled out of the deal, saying it would find an alternative site for its project.

City manager Sibusiso Sithole said the plans to build an academy would go ahead.

“There is a partnership with various players including the province and the South African Football Association and we can’t back out just because Liverpool is no longer involved,” he said.

He said the city was exercising its rights in terminating the lease agreements.

There are currently about 100 pupils that attend the riding school and about 50 horses – some too old to be re-homed.

The stables are also home to the popular Stables market, and much horse racing history. There are a number of other businesses that operate from the precinct.

“The stables should be a land mark. They have been going for years and years, we have gone to many competitions there, and the stables have such a rich history,” said North Coast stable yard owner Shane Hopkins.

Show your support by signing the petition here: http://www.petitions24.com/save_newmarket_stables